DoD News

News Article

U.S. Soldiers Treat Iraqi Children, Thwart Other Attacks

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 28, 2005  Task Force Baghdad soldiers May 27 provided medical treatment for two Iraqi children who were injured when an improvised explosive device detonated on a northwest Baghdad, Iraq, road, military officials said.

The IED apparently was aimed at the soldiers' patrol but exploded prematurely near an Iraqi vehicle, injuring the children.

While the soldiers were tending to the children's injuries, they were approached by an Iraqi man and his 4-year-old daughter. The little girl was bleeding from shrapnel wounds. The girl's father reportedly told the soldiers his daughter had been playing with some unexploded munitions that blew up. Officials said the soldiers called in air support and medically evacuated the girl and her father to a combat support hospital.

"This is another example of how terrorist violence effects even innocent Iraqi children," said Army Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a Task Force Baghdad spokesman. "Every day these terrorists rob Iraqis of the chance for prosperity, freedom and a better life."

Task Force Baghdad troops averted similar types of injuries and fatalities May 27 when, during a patrol north of Baghdad, they captured terrorists, confiscated weapons, and defused roadside bombs, officials said.

The patrol reportedly received a tip from an Iraqi, who directed the soldiers to a plastic bag on top of a barrier. The bag contained a 130 mm round. Officials said the informant told the soldiers the name of the individual who placed the round and where that individual lives.

A Task Force Baghdad patrol in the Khadra neighborhood, in northwest Baghdad, reported capturing three terrorists yesterday. The terrorists were brought in for questioning after soldiers witnessed them shooting at a military police patrol, officials said.

Also in Khadra, just a few minutes later, another Task Force Baghdad unit reported stopping a suspicious vehicle in which soldiers said they found several AK-47 rifles.

In other news from Iraq, on six occasions May 27, Task Force Baghdad troops located possible IEDs before they detonated, officials said.

For example, in Jazair, in central Baghdad, a cement block with wires running out of it turned out to be a 125 mm mortar round on the side if a road; a filled-in IED crater was found to contain a roadside bomb; and soldiers reported clearing roadside bombs from sections of the highway.

Two cylinders with wires attached were buried in the median of the highway, officials said. They found two 125 mm rounds attached to a radio in a similar position. Soldiers also reported finding and detonating two 120 mm rounds with wires protruding on a road south of Baghdad, officials said.